81% of Filipinos suffer from malnutrition in 1 form or another. It is not just that food is served by the nutritional quality of the food available is in question. The 81% is composed of the D, D and E socio-economic class of the Philippine population.

To give an idea boiled saba, rice porridge, and cornmeal was the dinner given to corporate executives, government officials, and representatives of various organizations when the launch was made for the website of United for Healthier Kids website at Green Sun in Makati last April 5, 2017.

The meal represented the daily meals of an estimated 7 million Filipino children. Such deficiencies in the nutritional requirements of Filipinos result in stunted growth, inability to learn properly, physical weakness and deficient brain development.

Senator Grace Poe recognized the crisis as already national in character and will affect the body politick of the nation from generations to come. It is scientifically and historically proven that nutrient deficiencies are carried over the generations as attested in studies of Irish women who are physically weaker than other women of other nationalities. This was caused by the Potato Famine in Ireland that happened centuries ago and caused the migration of the Irish to the United States that was caused by the Potato Blight that ravaged potatoes in Ireland, potatoes being the staple of the Irish.

For Senator Grace Poe, this growing national crisis continues to block Filipino children from achieving their full potential since they lack the nourishment and energy they need to stay active and do well in school.

"We must collectively work together to take care of our children and ensure that they are able to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them," Senator Poe said during her speech.

Nestlé Philippines part of the world food conglomerate supports the initiative called the United for Healthier Kids program together with other partners in the endeavor.

“For the Philippines to combat malnutrition and achieve its full potential, we need to adopt a more systemic approach to reducing hunger and malnutrition. We need to bring together organizations with expertise in various subjects, from access to food, nutrition education, water, sanitation, and hygiene, to nutrition in disaster," Jacques Reber, chairman and CEO of Nestlé Philippines disclosed.

The Filipino youth is the hope of the Motherland according to National Hero Jose Rizal. That is why it is imperative that the future generations be given adequate nutrition.

Other partner institutions such as ABS-CBN and the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, cooperated to launch the United for Healthier Kids website www.u4hk.ph, that aims to spread awareness and spread the call for volunteerism in the country. Organizations such as Project Pearls, Reach Out and Feed Philippines, Children’s Mission Philippines, Children’s Joy Foundation Inc., Children’s Hour, Philippine Red Cross, Waves for Water, and Virlanie Foundation.

The website provides relevant data regarding malnutrition that includes data on malnutrition by regions and endeavors to figrt malnutrition by the partner organizations.

The U4HK website contains relevant data about malnutrition, such as a heat map that shows malnutrition incidence per region. The portal also shows the different efforts undertaken by Nestle Philippines and its partner organizations to fight malnutrition, including a list of initiatives that they plan to implement over the next couple of months.

Reber also highlighted the crucial role that the youth play in generating ideas that will help the country in combating malnutrition and ensuring that its citizens can "lead prosperous and healthy lives."

For his part, Nestlé Philippines senior vice-president for communication, marketing, and innovation Paolo Mercado said that the youth can play a major role in disseminating the advocacy through digital platforms like social media.

He added that with strong commitment from private organizations and consistent participation from the youth, the Philippines is not too far from becoming a better country for children.

“A challenge as big as malnutrition is not the responsibility of just one sector of society. Businesses have the resources and technical knowledge to help address malnutrition,” he added. “The possibilities for interventions from the private sector are vast—from employee engagement and collaboration with communities to re-imagining more inclusive supply chains and supporting technological innovations to address access to food and the quality of food on the dining tables of Filipino families."

In line with this, Nestle Philippines and its partner organizations, such as ABS-CBN and the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, have work hand in hand to launch the United for Healthier Kids website (www.u4hk.ph), which aims to spread awareness and spread the call for volunteerism in the country. Other contributors and partner organizations include Project Pearls, Reach Out and Feed Philippines, Children’s Mission Philippines, Children’s Joy Foundation Inc., Children’s Hour, Philippine Red Cross, Waves for Water, and Virlanie Foundation.

The U4HK website contains relevant data about malnutrition, such as a heat map that shows malnutrition incidence per region. The portal also shows the different efforts undertaken by Nestle Philippines and its partner organizations to fight malnutrition, including a list of initiatives that they plan to implement over the next couple of months.